Quality of water for household consumption: Analysis and action plan in a rural area of Senegal

This study aimed to evaluate the supply and the conservation of water for household consumption, in order to propose solutions for its quality Improvement. An inspection of the drilling tank was completed by a two-part process, first consisting of doing a bacteriological analysis of the tank's water, and second by conducting a survey of 216 household leaders and the 32 Rural Council members. The drilling tank was left uncovered in open air, and it was overrun with algae and other various objects. It did not have any chemical treatment device, and the distribution pipes lacked water tightness. Serratia marcescens and Streptococcus faecalis were found in the tank's water. The tank's lack of a cover and absence of chlorination treatment were ignored by 55% and 56% of the household's leaders respectively. The storage containers, in 88% of cases, were inappropriate. The water was not chlorinated for 53% of the households. Among the 32 Rural Council members, 26 suggested chlorination and 18 suggested covering the tank for the quality improvement of water drilled and stored in the tanks. As a next step towards the resolution of this problem, an action plan was established with a budget up to 664.000 CFA francs, coordinated by the head doctor of the health district. The community participation facilitated such a level of involvement that eventually a water tower was constructed in 2005, which was beneficial to the health of the entire population of Mbar.